NCU Fantasy Football | Week 3 Picks

What's up, leaguemates! We thought it'd be fun to do a weekly picks article, and now that the start of the school year has begun to chill out, we've got a little more time on our hands to make it happen. Each week, Jamaal and Matt will pick four games, write a little about each matchup, and then keep track of the results. Who is the better prognosticator? TIME WILL TELL. 

The picks: 

Laces Out @ All Mahomies

I didn't see Chris winning many games this year, but the one he did snag was when Tagovailoa went crazy in the shootout with the Chargers in Week 1. I don't see him recreating that magic versus Denver... plus, Nick has some sweet match ups (Mahomes vs. Chicago, Ridley/Etienne vs. Houston). If Jerome Ford can claim the better half of the RB touches in Cleveland, this thing might be a total laugher. Mahomies by 25.  — Jamaal Gilbert

Madison's Finest @ We Are Terrible

Amazing that Jamaal is 2-0 with Joe Burrow's disastrous struggles while it is equally amazing Peterson is 2-0 at all.  Incredibly, I think Peterson right now has all the momentum and is a slight favorite. He led the league last week with 126 points and might have better matchups this week. Not saying he will eclipse 120 again, but he should beat Jamaal 91-82.  — Matt Hurm

Country Bear Jamboroo @ Trojan Horses

Troy has exceeded 90 points both weeks, but is an unlucky 1-1. Amy face-planted week 1, but rallied to 1-1. Neither week would she have defeated Troy and I think that trend continues. Troy doesn't have great matchups all over the lineup, but his defense plays the Bucs and Josh Allen plays Washington and those should be enough to get him over an inconsistent Amy 95-79.  — Matt Hurm

Joseph Addai @ The Numbers

Predictably, Lidds' team has started 2-0, but he's had to survive a couple of hotly contested battles. This week he has his sights set on Lance's Vikings-led Numbers. Lots of good players with solid matchups here, so I'll focus on the weaknesses. D.K. Metcalf's injured ribs and Mattison's rapidly declining value are going to be a problem for Lance; conversely, Derrick Henry has a sore toe... and somehow Donovan Peoples-Jones is in the starting lineup. Every fiber of my being wants to pick JoAd here, but I'm expecting fireworks from the Cousins-to-Jefferson connection... so it's The Numbers by a nose, 103-100.  — Jamaal Gilbert

Jabad's Sheep @ Serenity Now

This one is gonna be tight as division favorites Jabad's Sheep try to emerge from the cellar against 1-1 Paul. Saquon Barkley's late game injury really hurts a Jabad squad that was already struggling. Jake has the Cowboy's defense against the Cardinals which could easily produce 30 points, but beyond that, I don't think the rookie Robinson will be able to match Pollard and Josh Jacobs. Paul wins 89-86.  — Matt Hurm

Clear Eyes Full Hearts @ Hurts Locker

A battle of two 0-2 squads. Can Drew overcome a missed draft or can Caleb put the season preview scandal behind him and get a win? With Caleb's crafty Puka pickup and  superior running back matchups, I have to give him the edge, 78-68.   — Matt Hurm

Fighting Minnow @ Figment's Fart

This was easily the most devastating stretch of injuries I've ever witnessed for another fantasy team. Hurm invests heavily in two RB1 candidates, then watches as they are mangled by the meat grinder of NFL defenses. Chubb >> out for the season. Ekeler >> out for weeks. Not to mention 20-year keeper Amon Ra St. Brown, who is fighting what appears to be a case of turf toe. Taking all of that into consideration, Fighting Minnow should still run away from Dillon's hilarious disaster of a team by wide margin. Let's go 80-67, Minnow.  — Jamaal Gilbert

Garbage @ The Algorithm

Chris and Jake are fighting to keep a piece of the division lead, and both have teams who have yet to be beaten up too badly by the injury bug. We've seen some crazy inconsistency with Ja'Marr Chase (Team Garbage) unable to get traction because of Burrow's balky calf muscle, and Jordan Addison (Team Algorithm) benefiting from what might end up being Kirk Cousins' finest season. Last week, we saw a touchdown-heavy performance from The Algorithm... I believe we'll see a little correction this week — just enough for Garbage to float by, 87-82.   — Jamaal Gilbert

See you next Thursday!